15 dead as gunmen storm Afghan govt building

At least 15 people were killed and many wounded, Khogyani said, but he warned the toll could rise as security forces searched the building.

As the attack began with multiple explosions, local representatives of foreign donors and agencies were meeting department employees inside the building.

"All the partner agency representatives attending the meeting were Afghans and those who were stuck inside, including the director of the refugees and repatriations department, were rescued," Khogyani said.

Several people had been taken hostage by the attackers, said Zabiullah Zmarary, a provincial council member.

"I saw a black Corolla car drop three armed men at the gate of the refugees and repatriations department," a witness told AFP.

At least one of the men blew himself up at the gate and two others entered the building, the witness said.

Khogyani said the two attackers were killed.

Security forces swarmed into the area, and a plume of thick black smoke rose into the sky above the compound.

The Taliban denied involvement in the incident in a WhatsApp message sent to journalists.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which comes three days after militants raided a midwife training centre in Jalalabad.

Jalalabad has been the scene of multiple attacks in recent months that have killed dozens, as US and Afghan forces continue offensives against militants.